St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-24
THE OLD TIMES.

a iettef HIS recently been published
which possesses real historical value, al
though the writer was unconscious of it at
the time. 1t was written by lady who
| accompanied her husband OH weeks visit
to Mount Vernon, and is dated Nov %,
1779. The lady was the wife of an officer,
who was q soldier in the Revolutionary
war, and the letter was written to her
sister, to whom she is evidently united, in
the closest bonds of sympathy. Its chief
value is in being accurately descriptive of
the home life of the first president of the
United States, and of the delightful cond-
tionS of domestic simplicity which prevailed
in those days. A very beautiful picture of
the generous hospitality which was current
in those days is seen in the few lines de-
scribing the arrival at Mount Vernon. After
aiighting from the old-fashioned carriage in
which the journey had been made from
Williamsburg they were met by the dis
tinguished host in person, land his recep-
ton OF my husband was that of a brother"
writes Mrs. DARLINGTON. He took each
of us by the hand, and with warmth of
expression not to be described pressed mine,
and told me that | had conferred favor,
never to be forgotten, in bringing his old
friend to see him; then bidding the servant
to call the ladies, entertained lis most face
tiously till they appeared" The ladies re-
ferred to were Mrs. WASHINGTON. Mrs.
STUART her daughter-in-law (nee CURTIs),
with her two daughters, the Misses
STUART. and Mrs. LEWIS. another grand
daughter of Mrs. WASHINGTON. The
latter lady was new made wife who is
spoken OF as "a young lady of charming
amiability and obliging in every department,
particularly to her grandmother and the
general, whom she always calls Grandpa"
One OF the most interesting features of this
letter is the sketch of the apartments at
Mount Vernon and the homelke conditions
everywhere to be seen. Mrs WAsHINGTON's
room is described as being nicely fixed
for all sorts of work. On one side sits the
chambernaid with her knitting" she
writes son the other little colored pet
learning to sew, an old decent woman,
with her table and shears, cutting out the
negroes winter clothes. while the good old
Mrs. WAsHINGToN) directs them all, in
cessantly knitting herself, and pointing out
to me several pairs of nice colored stock
lngS and gloves she had just finished, and
presenting me with a pair half done, which
she begs l will finish and wear for her
sake. Her netting, too, is a source of
great amusement, and so neatly done that
all the younger members of the family are
proud of trimming their dresses with it,
and have furnished me with whole suit,
so that l shall appear a la domestique at
the first party we have when l go home"
The writer then compares the scenes of
retirement and domestic manners which
she observes in this quiet retreat. with
the parade of the drawing
and levee which they were COM
PEELED to undergo during Gen.
WAsHINGToN's public life. She says that
Mrs. WASHINGTON continually refers to
their life in public station as lost days."
and the recollection of them seems to fill
her with regret. but the extensive
knowledge she has gained in this general
intercourse with persons from all parts of
the world" continues the writer, has
made her a most interesting companion,
and having q vastly retentive memory, she
piOoCHIo oil CuGll0 uISIOIy VI Hall Il CtE-
tury." The old general is described as
being most methodical in his business
affairs. and allows nothing to interfere with
the order of the house or his disposition of
time, which is as regular as when he was
at the head of the army or in the presi-
dental chair. From breakfast to dinner
friends and visitors were left to find their
own amusement, but from dinner till tea
time is most charmingly spent" says the
writer. The general was so fascinating,
and drew my husband out with so many
old stories relating to their campaigns. that
it was long after twelve before we Separ-
! ated. At breakfast feel quite at home,
everything is so plain" Here the letter
breaks off and we sigh with regret that the
curtain should fall to shut out forever a
further peep into this charming home circle
of the olden time.